Boot thoughts?

[Rushski]

Bought a new pair of boots in early Fall. My previous boots I swam in as I got them after achilles tendon surgery and have long since have lost all swelling from said procedure (which took almost a year). So, needed a replacement for my reliable but slightly softer than i would like Nordica Beasts from about six years ago.

Stayed with a local shop thinking that it would be easier for tweaks to fit and mounting. One of the Nashua shops put me in this model year's Tecnica Dragon Slayer. It's 100mm wide and a 100 flex. They felt best out of the box in the shop. Went out mid-December and they were not feeling good after a couple runs. Made another six or seven runs after backing off on the buckles, but still felt pretty bad.

Went back to the shop and they put in a pair of Superfeet coppers which alleviated the pain in the bottom of my feet. Still didn't feel great but better than the thinner insoles. Went out Friday morning and ran into a diiferent problem. Now it seems the insoles are too thick as the pressure to the top of the feet is unbearable and caused numbness.

After looking at my options at home, not sure much can be done to these boots. Custom liners would have to go thinner which would take too much cushioning away. Footbed (zeppo?) under the liner doesn't seem to be able to be altered. Can't back off lower buckles anymore tyhan I already have.

Thinking a wider forefoot boot may be the way to go? Not sure what the shop can do or is willing to do to keep my business at this point. May have to buy another pair and put these up for sale, depending on what happens...

 

[bigbog]

One can go with bootguy that'll be willing to take on grinding/stretching over the instep Rushski. The Dragon isn't the top volume shell..but you'll be amazed at how that issue can sometimes be overcome with very little work(imho)..but sometimes mistakes we just have to learn from....and if they're not altered...selling em' won't be difficult. If when the bootboard is dropped slightly...ankle & shin match up = sometimes can be OK..but always a big IF. And a slight heellift will always help pull heel back = creating slightly different angle over instep vs shell.
$.01

 

[Rushski]

Thanks bigbog, good info. Came down to the angle over the instep as you mentioned. Was Ken Jones in Nashua and they were very accomodating and two of them attacked the situation and I ended up with a pair of Salomon Quest 12s, a half size down because of the higher volume and also $80 back to me for the difference in price.

Now it will just be getting my high-arched feet comfortable by finding the right insole...

 

[andyzee]

I had been wearing the Beast for years, went through 2 pair. When it came time to replace them and they were no longer made, I went with the Nordica Speedmachine 14 (now the 130). Great boot, same volume as the Beast, but stiffer and better fit.

 

[RootDKJ]

Ditch the Superfeet for a pair of Alines. Much better arch support. No cushion whatsoever, but I'm not expecting the bottom of the boot to be soft.

 

[Cannonball]

If you really are going to go the route of buying a completely different boot..... consider the Lange Banshee Pro. They have a very roomy toe box that might fit you needs while still being snug in the heel/ankle. I find that these boots really grip my narrow(ish) foot but I still have plenty of room to move my toes. I find this makes them very warm and probably more comfortable for your situation. I've been skiing these for 3 years and they are by far the best boots I've ever owned. Read the reviews, you will not find a bad one.

 

[drjeff]

Do some searching around to find a GOOD bootfitter in your area(there's plenty of folks on AZ that can help with that). Then go see them with no preconceived notions about what boot you might want and give him/her an honest assessment of your ability and what you realistically spend your time skiing the most. Then, if you're going to get a new pair, let THEM pick the shell that fits your foot and let them take it from there.

A GOOD fitter after an examination of the anatomy of your foot, before grabbing a pair of boots, will more than likely have accomplished a great deal of the fitting work before you even slip your foot into a pair. A good fitter can also after a bit of work, make a boot that might not fit your foot work, but that takes a bit more effort and often a few tweaks to get it dialed in corrrectly and comfortably

 

[hammer]

Do some searching around to find a GOOD bootfitter in your area(there's plenty of folks on AZ that can help with that). Then go see them with no preconceived notions about what boot you might want and give him/her an honest assessment of your ability and what you realistically spend your time skiing the most. Then, if you're going to get a new pair, let THEM pick the shell that fits your foot and let them take it from there.

A GOOD fitter after an examination of the anatomy of your foot, before grabbing a pair of boots, will more than likely have accomplished a great deal of the fitting work before you even slip your foot into a pair. A good fitter can also after a bit of work, make a boot that might not fit your foot work, but that takes a bit more effort and often a few tweaks to get it dialed in correctly and comfortably

I had a very good experience with Jeff Bokum in Concord...had custom footbeds done (I also have high arches) and a bit of grinding and stretching and ended up with a nice performance fit.

http://www.profileorthoticcenter.com

 

[Rushski]

Had thought long and hard about heading up to see Jeff Bokum and actually had an appointment set up late Summer until I sprained my ankle at Volleyball and had to put it off. Then figured to stay local for convenience. Obviously in hindsight shoul;d have stuck with Jeff.

The Salomon I brought home last night is worlds better right out of the box and the second person who helped me liked this boot as the speed lacing can cinch up my never-injured left foot.

Will definitely look at insole options, especially the Alines.